Savage wolves are on the loose. Evil people and imposters are proceeding from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. They hunger for their greed and do things for selfish gain. The ignorant and unsuspecting get swept up in the flood of their error. Yet, Christ protects His flock through the local church and if God's people stand firm they will be opposed by those who'd rather not bow to Christ (Acts 20:26-35. 2 Tim. 1-4).

The securest place to be is safe in the arms of the sovereign God who saves by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for His glory alone; while staying active in the context of a local church led by a plurality of biblically qualified elders who faithfully shepherd the flock and preach the Word of God accurately and apply it lovingly. And this is precisely where it gets complicated.

People are involved and people make messes of relationships. Some respond poorly to that challenge, while others navigate it wisely. Minor annoyances in the grand scheme of things must never eclipse the blood-bought unity of the bride of Christ. Stay in the local church through the storms with people you don’t always agree with but love fiercely because you have been united together for eternity.

Those beloved of God in Christ ought to become increasingly more beloved to one another, as God's Word does it's work in God's people (1 Thess. 2:8-9, 13). The imminent return of Christ calls for urgent gospel love that clings to truth and lives by grace. All this, so that God is most glorified and people see and hear biblical truth spoken and lived, such that they believe the true Gospel of the grace of God in Christ.

God saves and sanctifies as He wills. Only He can open hearts to the gospel. God’s work results in His glory and the humbling of man. It is what God has been doing for thousands of years. It will not end until Christ returns. His Word is perfect and powerful; His work is precise and on point. Believers must rest under the beautiful sovereign hand of God, as He providentially orchestrates all things.

We live in strange times. God is not caught off guard or confused by the slippery slope of divisive deception being peddled. He doesn’t turn a blind eye. There will be a reckoning. He is the Judge. Glorify Him and love all, as the ignorant and unstable twist the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16-18). Be on guard and protect others from wolves. Let the wheat and weeds grow together until harvest (Matt. 13:24-30).

Believers must stand firm as Christ holds His Church fast. The time has come. The danger is real. The stakes are high. The time is short.